Montana 2025 Legislative Session

[Elky Welky]

It’s surprising that you guys spent time behind the scenes contacting reps to support 139 when you were “neutral.”

Montana BHA was neutral. One board member, our past chair @John B. Sullivan III , put his name on a letter in support, along with many other respected conservationists. His views do not reflect the views of the board nor the chapter, and are wholly his own.

 

[SAJ-99]

Indeed. It's been an unexpected pain to have to fend off all of you for being so worked up about us being neutral, while also dealing with all the other bills going on this session. 139 has been one heck of a distraction from other bills trying to take $ from Habitat Montana, gut MEPA, etc. I'm glad our time can be better spent working on the issues we care about.

And we wonder why we are always playing defense.

 

[RandanP]

Indeed. It's been an unexpected pain to have to fend off all of you for being so worked up about us being neutral, while also dealing with all the other bills going on this session. 139 has been one heck of a distraction from other bills trying to take $ from Habitat Montana, gut MEPA, etc. I'm glad our time can be better spent working on the issues we care about.

I haven’t noted any bills besides HB 5 that speak on Habitat MT. What bills deal with that?

 

[Ben Lamb]

I haven’t noted any bills besides HB 5 that speak on Habitat MT. What bills deal with that?

SB 307 reallocates the funding away from Habitat MT and other programs. It has a hearing next week.

There will likely be another bill on this coming soon.

 

[DFS]

And we wonder why we are always playing defense.

It’s a joke this bill was brought and any time was spent on it. I suspect it’s not done.

 

[cgasner1]

House Floor Session

House Floor Session - Video

sg001-harmony.sliq.net

If anyone wants a listen also id recommend writing a few thank you letter tonight guys this goes round 2 at 9am tomorrow

 

[Ben Lamb]

House Floor Session

House Floor Session - Video

sg001-harmony.sliq.net

If anyone wants a listen also id recommend writing a few thank you letter tonight guys this goes round 2 at 9am tomorrow

Text as well. There will be a motion to reconsider the vote around 10:30 am or so tomorrow morning. Legislators respond to text better than email.

 

[Montana_Wanderer]

Here is a pic of how everyone voted yesterday on HB 139. May be helpful if anyone wants to reach out today prior to the motion to reconsider.

 

[cgasner1]

I’ve had a couple texts back this morning still time to send a few out

 

[cgasner1]

Here is a pic of how everyone voted yesterday on HB 139. May be helpful if anyone wants to reach out today prior to the motion to reconsider.
View attachment 361587

I hit the yes votes pretty hard last night hoping for a reconsider been thanking the no votes today and asking them to do it again

 

[longbow51]

If theres one thing that we dont need to spend money promoting - its Montana.

TV shows. Youtube travelers. And a camera everywhere.

The climate/need to promote Montana changed. If it changes again - they can change it back

Yeah, we discussed that at the river crowding summit I mentioned previously. The pesky First Amendment gets in the way.

But, 100%, no more state money to promote tourism.

And put Beth Dutton (the character, not the TV show which caused massive influx) in charge of tourism

 

[cgasner1]

Hinkle got the votes for 139 today

 

[mtmuley]

And put Beth Dutton (the character, not the TV show which caused massive influx) in charge of tourism

And water troughs. mtmuley

 

[Montana_Wanderer]

Hinkle got the votes for 139 today

Do they convince each other to change minds by owing favors??? Why else would someone change their mind this far into the process. I have no idea how this stuff works and maybe I am way off base.

 

[Gerald Martin]

Do they convince each other to change minds by owing favors??? Why else would someone change their mind this far into the process. I have no idea how this stuff works and maybe I am way off base.

Classic case of I’ll scratch your back….

 

[Beignet]

Hinkle got the votes for 139 today

Floor session isn’t until 1:00, no? What’s the whip count?

 

[Montana_Wanderer]

Classic case of I’ll scratch your back….

Well, thanks to everyone who put in the effort. On to the next one I guess. Only a couple more months.

 

[Schaaf]

Well, thanks to everyone who put in the effort. On to the next one I guess. Only a couple more months.

Aint through yet, this still has to go back to the floor for another reading. We have heard from several that voted to reconsider but will stay a "no" on the actual bill. I don't understand the logic behind that but it's their words not mine.

 

[Gerald Martin]

Well, thanks to everyone who put in the effort. On to the next one I guess. Only a couple more months.

It’s not over yet. Just a case of a dead bill coming back to life. Hopefully, it will go to zombie bill heaven soon…

Quite frankly, I am surprised at the votes of some Reps. It strikes me as a case of the merits of an individual bill today are only as compelling as the expediency of a vote that is needed tomorrow for a bill that a particular Rep cares more about than today’s bill.

 

[Montana_Wanderer]

Aint through yet, this still has to go back to the floor for another reading. We have heard from several that voted to reconsider but will stay a "no" on the actual bill. I don't understand the logic behind that but it's their words not mine.

Good to hear. Now I really feel like I don’t understand the process. Guess I’ve got some learning to do.